© 2024 All rights reserved | | Version: 1.0.2.11 | Updated: 5/12/2026 7:17:46 PM
Case No. 20-cv-4688-RS (N.D. Cal.)
Plaintiffs in this lawsuit sued Google alleging that when someone turned off or “paused” Google’s Web & App Activity setting and/or supplemental Web & App Activity setting, Google lacked permission to collect, save, and use the data concerning their activity on non-Google apps that have incorporated certain Google software code into the apps (such as Uber, Venmo, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.). Plaintiffs allege that regardless of whether Class Members had these settings paused or turned off, Google collected app activity data using certain code embedded within many non-Google apps. This embedded code includes the Firebase Software Development Kit and the Google Mobile Ads Software Development Kit, which are written and distributed by Google and placed on apps by third party developers who own the apps. Plaintiffs allege Google used this code to unlawfully access their devices and collect, save, and use data from their activity on non-Google apps for Google’s own benefit. Google denies Plaintiffs’ legal claims.
Back To TopOn September 3, 2025, after a federal trial, the jury concluded that Google unlawfully collected information from certain users of smartphones and tablets who claimed they asked Google not to track their activity on mobile apps. The jury awarded a verdict of over $425 million in damages to two certified Classes. The Court entered a judgment, which requires Google to pay the Classes the amount of the jury’s verdict plus interest.
However, Google has asked the Court to vacate the judgment, meaning disregard the jury verdict. Google may also appeal the judgment.
Class Counsel has asked the Court to award fees for their work in this case. Class Members have the right to object to this request. The Court will decide Class Counsel’s compensation. Class Counsel’s fees will be paid from the compensation ultimately awarded in this case, if any. These amounts will not be paid until after the Court rules on Google’s request to disregard the jury verdict and, if Google also chooses to appeal, after the Court rules on that appeal.
There is no money or benefits available now. If money or benefits become available at a later date, Potential Class Members will be notified and given instructions on how to make a claim.
Back To TopA federal court authorized the Class Certification Notice because Class Members have a right to know about their legal rights. The Notice only advises you of the existence of this lawsuit, your rights and options, and the deadlines to exercise them if you are a Class Member.
Chief Judge Richard Seeborg of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California is overseeing this lawsuit, known as Rodriguez et al. v. Google LLC, Case No. 20-cv-4688-RS (N.D. Cal.), and has determined that legal claims against Google for invasion of privacy, intrusion upon seclusion, and violation of the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, Cal. Penal Code § 502, can proceed as a class action. Judge Seeborg "certified" two nationwide Classes: Class 1 and Class 2 (together the "Classes") and you may be a Class Member.
Back To TopOn September 3, 2025, after a federal trial, the jury concluded that Google unlawfully collected information from certain users of smartphones and tablets who claimed they asked Google not to track their activity on mobile apps. The jury awarded a verdict of over $425 million in damages to two certified Classes.
The Court entered a judgment, which requires Google to pay the Classes the amount of the jury’s verdict plus interest. As of March 2, 2026, the verdict plus interest totals $440,345,685.40. Interest continues to accrue on that amount. However, Google has asked the Court to vacate the judgment, meaning disregard the jury verdict. Google may also appeal the judgment.
There is no money available now, but Court rules require Class Counsel to make a formal request for their fees (their “Fee Application”), should compensation be awarded. The notice is to inform Class Members of the Fee Application and their opportunity to object to it.
Back To TopIn a class action lawsuit, one or more people called “Class Representatives”—in this lawsuit three Class Representatives—sue on behalf of other people who have similar legal claims. All of these people are “Class Members” and together form a “Class” or “Classes.” One court resolves the lawsuit for all class members, except for those who exclude themselves. The Class Representatives who sued—and all the Class Members like them—are called Plaintiffs. The entity they sued (in this lawsuit, Google) is called the defendant.
Back To TopNo money will be distributed at this time. While the jury did award a verdict, Google has asked the Court to vacate the judgment, meaning disregard the jury verdict. Google also may appeal. Class Counsel will continue to pursue the lawsuit against Google. If money or benefits become available at a later date, Potential Class Members will be notified and given instructions on how to make a claim.
Back To TopYou are a Class Member if you meet one or more of the definitions below, as certified by the Court:
Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (“CDAFA”)
For the alleged violation of the CDAFA, the Court certified the following classes:
Class 1: All individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running the Android operating system, because of the Firebase Software Development Kit (“SDK”) and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.
Class 2: All individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024 (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running a non-Android operating system, because of the Firebase SDK and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.
Invasion of Privacy and Intrusion Upon Seclusion
For the alleged invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion legal claims, the Court certified the same Class 1 and Class 2 but excluded individuals who only have an “Enterprise” account or “supervised Google Account for users under age 13” (also known as a “Unicorn” account). An “Enterprise” account is an account managed by an administrator that is designed for use by end users within an organization, such as businesses, non-profits, and schools. A “supervised Google Account for users under age 13” is an account created for a minor when they are under the age of 13, which is created and supervised by a parent using Google Family Link.
Class 1: All “non-Enterprise” and “non-Unicorn” individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running the Android operating system, because of the Firebase Software Development Kit (“SDK”) and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.
Class 2: All “non-Enterprise” and “non-Unicorn” individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running a non-Android operating system, because of the Firebase SDK and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.
Individuals who signed up for an account type other than an Enterprise or supervised Google Account for users under age 13 could be included for all three legal claims. These individuals could be Class Members for both the invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion classes and the CDAFA classes.
If you are a child for whom a supervised Google Account for users under age 13 was created, please discuss this Notice with your parent or guardian to help you decide whether you may be a Class Member. If you are a parent or guardian supervising a Google Account for users under age 13, and if Google’s records indicate your child may be a Class Member, you will receive a separate Notice. Please review that Notice with your child to help them decide whether they may be a Class Member.
It is possible for you to be a Class Member of one or more of these certified classes.
Back To TopNo. Although these accounts may have been eligible to be included in the Classes certified for these legal claims, the Court later granted Google’s request to exclude Enterprise accounts and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 from the invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion Classes. Enterprise and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 are still included in the Classes certified for violations of the CDAFA.
The Court has determined that those individuals cannot be a part of the existing Classes for the legal claims for alleged violations of invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion. You may hire your own lawyer at your expense if you decide to pursue your own lawsuit.
Back To TopBased on Google’s records, individual Notice is being sent directly to available email addresses for individuals whose Google Web & App Activity and/or supplemental Web & App Activity settings were turned off or “paused” at least once between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024.
Back To TopYes. Certain individuals and entities are excluded from the Classes. These include:
If you’re still not sure whether you are a Class Member, please review this website, call the Notice Administrator toll-free at 1-855-822-8821, or write to: Rodriguez v Google, P.O. Box 2749, Portland, OR 97208-2749
Back To TopYou do not have to do anything to remain a Class Member. If Plaintiffs obtain money or benefits from this lawsuit, you may receive a payment or benefits in the future. Potential Class Members will be notified and given instructions on how to make a claim, should money or benefits become available.
If you did not submit a timely request to exclude yourself from the litigation, you are legally bound by all Court orders and judgments regarding the legal claims in this lawsuit and have no right to bring or maintain a separate lawsuit against Google for the legal claims alleged in this lawsuit.
Back To TopThe deadline to exclude yourself from the litigation has passed. You must have mailed your exclusion request postmarked by February 20, 2025
If you timely asked to be excluded, you are not legally bound by anything that happens in this lawsuit. You may be able to sue (or continue to sue) Google in the future regarding the legal claims in this lawsuit.
If you did not submit a timely request to exclude yourself from the litigation, you are legally bound by all Court orders and judgments regarding the legal claims in this lawsuit and have no right to bring or maintain a separate lawsuit against Google for the legal claims alleged in this lawsuit.
Back To TopIn a class action lawsuit like this, the Court decides the amount that Class Counsel will be paid for their work. A fee application is a formal application that Class Counsel makes to the Court, which states the amount that Class Counsel believes it should be paid for their work in the lawsuit. The fee application includes Class Counsel’s requests for fees, for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in bringing the lawsuit, and for service awards for the individual plaintiffs who represented class members and took part in the lawsuit. Individual Class Members may review Class Counsel’s fee application and object to any part of it. The Court will consider the fee application and any objections, and will decide how much Class Counsel will receive.
Back To TopClass Counsel is requesting:
Class Counsel’s Fee Application states their justification for each of these requests. You can review the Fee Application by clicking here.
Back To TopTo object, you must file a written objection with the Court. Your objection must state that you object to the Fee Application in Rodriguez v. Google, Case No. 3:20-CV-4688-RS and must include the following information:
You must file your written objection with the Court so it is received by July 30, 2026. You must also send your objection to Class Counsel and the Notice Administrator, via US Mail or shipped by private courier (such as Federal Express) so it is received by July 30, 2026, to the following addresses:
|
Court |
Clerk of the Court |
|---|---|
|
Class Counsel |
Mark C. Mao |
|
Notice Administrator |
Rodriguez v. Google Notice Administrator |
Yes. The Court has appointed the following lawyers as Class Counsel to represent Class Members. If you have questions, you can reach Class Counsel by calling 1-888-884-5720 or by sending an email to: ClassCounsel@GoogleWebAppActivityLawsuit.com.
Mark C. Mao
Beko Reblitz-Richardson
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
44 Montgomery St., 41st Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
James Lee
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
100 SE 2nd St., 28th Floor
Miami, FL 33131
John A. Yanchunis
Ryan J. McGee
MORGAN & MORGAN
201 N. Franklin Street, 7th Floor
Tampa, FL 33602
Bill Carmody
SUSMAN GODFREY LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
32nd Floor
New York, NY 10019
Amanda Bonn
SUSMAN GODFREY LLP
1900 Ave. of the Stars, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90067
Court rules require Class Counsel to make a formal request for their fees (their “Fee Application”), should compensation be awarded. The recent Fee Application Notice is to inform Class Members of the Fee Application and their opportunity to object to it. If the Court grants Class Counsel’s request, the attorneys’ fees and expenses will either be deducted from any money obtained for the Class Members or paid separately by Google. These amounts will not be paid until after the Court rules on Google’s request to disregard the jury verdict and, if Google chooses to appeal, after the Court rules on that appeal.
Back To TopClass Counsel has asked for service awards for the Class Representatives. Class Counsel has asked that two Class Representatives receive a service award of $50,000.00 each, and a third Class Representative receive an award of $35,000.00. The service awards would be in addition to Class Representatives’ rights as Class Members to receive a portion of the money or benefit resulting from any such judgment or settlement. You have the right to object to these requests and may do so by filing a written objection with the Court as described above. The amount of these awards, if any, will ultimately be determined by the Court.
Back To TopYou have the right to hire and appear through your own lawyer, but you do not have to do so. Class Counsel is working on behalf of all Class Members as a whole. If you hire your own lawyer, you will have to pay for your lawyer on your own.
Back To TopIf you have already hired your own lawyer, you should contact your lawyer directly with any questions as to whether the litigation Notices apply to you and how to proceed.
Back To TopThe Class Certification Notice summarizes the Court’s decision to certify the lawsuit as a class action.
The Fee Application Notice summarizes Class Counsel’s request for their fees to be paid, should compensation be awarded.
Key dates and important documents related to the lawsuit can be found on this website.
For additional assistance, please contact the Notice Administrator by calling, toll-free, 1-855-822-8821, or writing to Rodriguez v. Google Notice Adminstrator, P.O. Box 2749, Portland, OR 97208-2749. If you want to communicate with Class Counsel, you may contact them directly. Contact information for Class Counsel is provided in FAQ 17. You may also hire your own lawyer at your own expense.
You may also obtain information regarding the lawsuit on the Court docket in this lawsuit, for a fee, through the Court’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov or by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Phillip Burton Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays.
PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK’S OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS LAWSUIT. ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE NOTICE ADMINISTRATOR OR CLASS COUNSEL.
Back To Top © 2024 All rights reserved | | Version: 1.0.2.11 | Updated: 5/12/2026 7:17:46 PM